Page 50 of More Than an Ex-Girlfriend

Crocheting-Cowboy: I’m okay.

I don’t add a question at the end.

This is the new normal with Lettie, and I don’t like it one bit.

* * *

I’m awake super early.After taking Lettie to work for so long, my brain shifted to a new schedule. But I stay in bed, listening while she gets ready. I haven’t seen her since Anderson asked me for her number. And that’s not for lack of trying. I’ve gone out to the porch in the evenings. Last night, I knocked, but she didn’t answer. I ended up eating both slices of pie by myself.

This isn’t going to change unless I do something. So I slide out of bed and get dressed.

Quietly, I slip out to the front porch and wait.

At three thirty, she steps outside, her purse tucked under her arm, and locks her door.

I walk up beside her. “Morning.”

Startled, she yelps and drops her purse. “Archer, what in the world? You scared the goobers out of me.”

“You don’t much need goobers, but I’m sorry about scaring you. Just wanted to say hi, and you couldn’t avoid me if you didn’t know I’d be here.” I nod to my truck. “Want a ride to work?”

She shrugs, then after picking up her purse, she walks to my truck.

I open her door. “It’s my turn to say that I don’t want you to hate me.”

Gazing at me, she blinks. “Don’t ever lie to me. I don’t like it.”

“I apologize. It was a jerk move.” I run around and slide in behind the wheel. “After we were both sick and all the cuddling, I...” I’m working really hard not to put my foot in my mouth.

“You needed space. I get it. You’ve been clear about not dating again. I respect that. I’m sorry I made you uncomfortable.” She turns to face me. “Truce?”

I hold out my hand. “Friends again?”

She shakes my hand and nods.

We ride in silence until we get to the shop. Then as she gets out, she says, “I’m not mad that you aren’t going to the wedding. Anderson seems really cool. I think it’ll be fun.”

“Totally.” I’m not sure if she’s trying to make me feel better or attempting to turn me into a seething green monster. “I hope you have fun.”

Just not too much fun.

* * *

It’sthe day of the wedding, and I keep checking the time. I’ve burned through my list of chores, but I don’t want to be at the house when Anderson shows up at Lettie’s door. I can’t bear to see her all dressed up and on his arm.

Choosing Dag’s method of killing time and stewing over feelings, I drive out to the pasture and toss the barrel for the bull. Fetch brings it right back. Over and over, I play this silly game with the beast.

“I’ll toss it a couple more times. Then I have to go. I have plans.” I must look like a complete dork talking to a bull. “I’m meeting Mason in the game room. He’ll keep me distracted while Lettie and Anderson are at the wedding. Hopefully, he doesn’t decide to talk about kissing tonight.”

The bull knocks the barrel back to me.

When my phone buzzes, I answer without looking to see who it is. “Hello.”

Anderson sounds upset. “I need your help.”

“What’s wrong?”

“My sister called me. Someone ran a light and smashed her car. Police aren’t even on the scene yet. So I need you to either help a sobbing eighteen-year-old fill out an accident report and file an insurance claim or go with Lettie to the wedding.”

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